Mr. Abbott was born Oct. 9, 1944, to the late Clayton and Annie Johnson Abbott in Jacksonville, Fla. He married Patty Bauman on Aug. 24, 1973. He was a painter and retired from WMI after several years of employment.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years of Temple; a son Wayne Richard Abbott Jr. of North Carolina; and a daughter, Ashley Abbott of Temple.

Harper-Talasek Funeral Home of Temple is in charge of arrangements.